Free Talk Live - Regulation

DHS Shuts Down Dwolla Payments to and From Mt. Gox

stuntmantdave — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:17:41 +0000

The Department of Homeland Security appears to have shut down the ability to use Dwolla, a mobile payment service, to withdraw and deposit money into Mt. Gox, a Bitcoin trading platform. A Dwolla representative confirmed the move to Betabeat. Chris Coyne, cofounder of OKCupid, posted a screenshot of an email he received from Dwolla, stating that due to recent orders from the Department of Homeland Security, Dwolla cannot complete the bank transfer to Mt. Gox.

So much for public service.

anothermark — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 13:10:35 +0000

Sen. Tommy Tucker of Waxhaw said a mouthful with just 13 words on Tuesday.

“I am the senator. You are the citizen. You need to be quiet.”

Should The Creepy Times Square Costumed Characters Be Regulated?

Jking8767 — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:16:16 +0000

The Disneyfication of Times Square really has come full circle—the formerly gritty crossroads of the world has become so family-friendly that it's starting to become seedy again, thanks to a mob of street hustlers dressed as cartoon characters demanding tips from tourists. On Sunday, a man dressed as Cookie Monster allegedly shoved a child and cursed at his mother when she didn't tip fast enough, and several other characters have been arrested in recent months. The situation has attracted so much media attention that now regulation is being considered.

Pittsburgh Man Opens Ice Cream Shop/Bank and Refuses to Shut Down

Erin Jane — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:49:30 +0000

Despite threats of big fines by state banking regulators, the owner of a Shadyside (Pittsburgh, Pa) ice cream shop who opened his own version of a community bank last summer isn't abandoning his mission.

"We are taking on the challenge of transforming the retail banking industry," his website states.
"PA dept of banks threatening us ... we keep growing," he tweeted in late December.

Instead of deposits he is offering "never-ending gift cards." (More hilarious examples of how this ice cream shop/bank owner is getting around regulations in the article).

US regulator: Bitcoin exchanges must comply with money-laundering laws

Cyphase — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 23:40:29 +0000

The federal agency charged with enforcing the nation's laws against money laundering has issued new guidelines suggesting that several parties in the Bitcoin economy qualify as Money Services Businesses under US law. MSBs must register with the federal government, collect information about their customers, and take steps to combat money laundering by their customers. The new guidelines do not mention Bitcoin by name, but there's little doubt which "de-centralized virtual currency" the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) had in mind when it drafted the new guidelines.

N.C. Mountain Man Fights To Preserve Old Ways

Brockacre — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 06:24:26 +0000

N.C. Mountain Man Fights To Preserve Old Ways

Primitive retreat too primitive for government officials

By Don Carrington Dec. 17th, 2012

More | 3

BOONE — Watauga County mountain man Eustace Conway’s passion for teaching primitive living came to a sudden halt in October when local government officials shut down his operation, citing safety and health

City of Austin goes after SideCar ride sharing service.

matthewglennwells — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:06:43 +0000

A ride sharing service called SideCar that is very popular in San Francisco and Seattle is under attack by the Austin City Council for being an unregulated taxi service. The City wants to conduct Sting operations to bust, fine, and impound the vehicle of volunteers who give rides to people on a donation basis only. This would be conducted during South by Southwest when the company plans to launch in Austin. The service is offered through a smartphone app and no cash is exchanged.

Free market gets weed to Colorado ahead of regulated market.

ianCredible — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 02:18:05 +0000

Legislators in Colorado are still working out how to regulate recreational marijuana. Until new guidelines are announced medical dispensaries are still playing by the old rule book and only selling to those with valid registrations. While sales will be regulated, Amendment 64 clearly states that its legal for anyone 21+ to possess or gift up to an ounce (and grow 6 of their own plants) the free market has come up with an innovative 64 compliant solution.